Choose Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for a dog-friendly weekend getaway. Bring Fido lists 22 pet-friendly hotels, five pet-friendly attractions and 22 pet-friendly restaurants in Gatlinburg. The Garden Plaza Hotel has the perfect location: two blocks from downtown and right next to Great Smoky Mountain Park. Two dogs of any size are allowed, for a nominal pet fee. Great Smoky Mountain has a "Barks and Recreation" program, with a fenced leash-free area. Many of the restaurants, such as The Funnel Cake Company and Lineberger's Seafood Restaurant, allow your pets to dine on the patio with you. You can even take your dog up the mountain on the Gatlinburg Sky Lift.
Garden Plaza Hotel Gatlinburg
520 Historic Nature Trail
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
800-435-9201
4lodging.com
Fully renovated in 2007 at the cost of $150 million, the Liberty Hotel is located in the heart of historic Beacon Hill. The sumptuous amenities and décor make it hard to believe that the Liberty was formerly the Charles Street Jail. The hotel features a grand ballroom, a 24-hour fitness club, 24-hour private in-room dining, and four restaurants and bars. You can stay in one of the 300 lavishly appointed rooms, or splurge on yourself and your traveling companions by opting for one of the 10 suites.
Museums, galleries, historic sites, world class shopping and dining are all just around the corner. You should pack comfortable walking shoes, nice casual clothes, a dressy outfit or two for dinner, and a warm jacket for catching the ferry across to the gaslight district.
Liberty Hotel
215 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
866-507-5245
libertyhotel.com
Choose the West Baden Springs Hotel if you want an exciting, active weekend getaway. There are two 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole course with excellent practice areas. Horseback riding, bowling and tennis are available on site, though perhaps the most excitement will be in the 42,000-square-foot casino. This historic hotel has a children's program and is pet friendly, so you can bring the whole family for a weekend getaway. You can enjoy the hotel's indoor pool, fitness gym and spa, and high-speed internet access. Of the 246 well-appointed rooms, 40 are atrium-view garden rooms.
West Baden Springs Hotel
8538 West Baden Avenue
West Baden, IN 47469
888-936-9360
historichotels.org
Vacation options for knitters have become increasingly popular since the first Knitting Camp organized by Elizabeth Zimmermann in 1974. The first Sock Summit on August 6 to 9, 2009, in Portland at the Oregon Convention Center was so popular that the second Sock Summit is being planned for July 2011. Internationally known designers, teachers, knitting celebrities such as the Yarn Harlot, and Meg are part of this international hand-knitting conference. Enjoy the 80s-themed "Sock Hop" dance, take part in the knit-a-long, visit the sock museum, learn new techniques, shop in the marketplace, or just meet your online friends from Ravelry in person. You should book your accommodation early for the best choice. Both Travel Oregon and the Sock Summit Group on Ravelry are great resources for finding the perfect accommodation for this sock-knitting weekend getaway.
Sock Summitt 2011
Oregon Convention Center
777 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
800-791-2250
oregoncc.org
socksummit.com
